Continued...

This was again based on the bulb fields but I decided to add the details using embroidery and applique, after felting. I had made a piece with shades of yellow, which I cut up and sewed into the foreground to represent the individual flowers. I added French Knots in silk thread and satin thread to give a feeling of flowers in the distance. I felt that the added texture gave more interest to the surface.

Continued...

The felt above was my interpretation of daffodil bulb fields and the stripes of colour that the different bulbs provided. I added the dots of colours in the foreground to suggest the individual flowers. The finished piece reminded me a little of an Impressionist painting. I was pleased with the effect and how the dots of wool had stayed where I had placed them.

The Big Project...

Another sky interpretation, but this time focusing on the cloud patterns. This was embellished with white silk fibres, recycled denim fibres and Wensleydale wool, which gave the curly effects of the clouds. Once felted, I added hand stitching using back stitch in a white satin thread to add emphasis to the curly patterns and to add extra interest to the composition.

I particularly like the wispy effects that the Merino and Wensleydale create which really convey the idea of clouds.

The Big Project

This was my first piece for a big project on Lincolnshire Landscapes based on elements of the landscape. As the project progressed, I decided to make thirty individual pieces which would be displayed together to create a whole. I made sample pieces first, to enable me to try different effects and judge which worked best before embarking on the finished pieces. The one above was a beautiful evening sky in December 2008 and the pinks and creams really inspired me. I took photos of the piece prior to felting and then after felting, which shows how the image changes during the process. I like this about felting as it gives an unpredictability which is exciting.

I developed my felt making and started to use simple equipment to help with the fulling process. This enabled me to full the felt much more quickly and created more densely packed fibres which made a solid, flat, fabulous felt. However, the felt still exerted its own personality within each piece so no two pieces were ever the same!

Clouds

This next piece was inspired by a particularly brilliant bright blue February sky with fluffy white clouds. I used Photoshop to manipulate the sky and created a repeating pattern which was reminiscent of tie-dye. Using this as my inspiration, I recreated an element of the pattern in felt. This was the first time I had incorporated pattern into the felt and I was unsure how it would look or whether it would work. I built up very thin layers of carded merino wool and took my time over the fulling process. This resulted in the best felt I had yet made, well felted and flat. I was delighted!

My next attempt

My next attempt was to create a more finished piece, including a background which would add extra interest without detracting from the felt piece. I added vertical ribbons and circle embroidery onto the background which echoed the circles in the felt. To create the circles on the felt, I had cut holes into it during the felting process which showed the layers of colours I had used. I embellished the surface with circles of merino and embroidered onto them in different threads. As a final flourish, I added just a few sequins. I was pleased with the end result, although as a piece of felt, it was far from perfect. This was due to my inexperience as I had not 'fulled' the felt for long enough to enable the fibres to knit together and create a flat surface. However, as I reminded myself, it was only my second piece of hand made felt and I knew I would get better with time and practise.

How it all started

My first piece of hand made felt was part of a project that involved a visit to Lincoln Christmas Market in December 2008. I was inspired by some felt bags and decided to explore felt as a material. I was really pleased with the end result at the time, although looking back at it now, there are plenty of things wrong with it! The colours worked well and the addition of the embroidery helped with the overall look of the piece. I was very taken with the 'low-tech' process of felt making as not a lot of equipment is needed. The other thing is that felt making is a very forgiving process and even complete beginners can create something to be proud of.

A journey into the world of felt....

I am creating this blog in the hope that, over time, I will be able to connect with other individuals or groups with a similar interest and passion for felt and felt making. My aim is to use this blog as a form of diary in order to record the items that I produce, the processes involved & to receive comments from other felters. However, I shall also include other things that I am interested in, such as gardening, cooking, reading etc.
I started making felt last December (08) and have steadily grown in confidence with regards to creating interpretations of elements of my local landscape in felt. Initially I used dyed Merino tops as they felt quickly and easily and are ideal for beginners. However, my sister keeps a few sheep and recently presented me with several bags of raw washed fleece. I have been experimenting with these different, neutral coloured fleeces, using them individually and also combining them, with some very pleasing results.
I shall post photos of my work, or my inspiration, or anything else that I would like to share with the world, in the hope that people reading this will find something to enjoy.